Venezia is a destination for many tourists from around the world. According to estimates about 120,000 tourists visit Venezia daily. I traveled to “SERENISSIMA” this June and admired the marvelous buildings, impressive details, shops with artwork and small sleepy piazzas with cafes and delicious food. Walking around and getting lost with a gelato in your hand is the most Venetian experience. But there is the other side of Venezia: Piazza San Marco flooded with people, municipality officers asking tourists not to sit down, and keep on moving. Too many people. Way too many. After all, this is the summer season and Venezia lives off tourists.
Controversial implementation of a 5 Euro entry fee for all the visitors that did not book a night at a hotel or AirBnB made the international news. In the streets of Venezia you hear more English, Chinese or French than actual Italian. And you must wonder, is this a city I would like to live in? How do the Venetians feel about the tourists?
Well, I noticed many posters on the walls asking the Venetians to protest the “Disneyworld effect”. Venetians are demanding policies that regulate the massive amount of Airbnb’s that prohibit “non-tourists” to live and rent in the city of Venezia. Is this the hidden
cost of our apps that offer so many cheap options of accommodations in a beautiful place like Venezia? I always looked at these apps as opportunities to generate profit and pleasure, but what does that mean to a family of Italians that cannot afford the rent in the lagoon? Commuting? Yes, but is this city an authentic Italian city anymore, if there are mostly tourists during summer? Or is it just an entertainment park for us, travelers from all over the world?
As I walked behind an older Italian couple, I overheard the lady complaining about crowds, about people stopping everywhere and taking picture after picture, without a “ Scusa”, or a smile. Is this the other side of tourism?
Is this something that a 5 Euro entry fee will fix? Probably not. My only reasonable suggestion is that if you can, travel to Venezia during the off season. Buon Viaggio!
By Anna Porto.